Central Victoria could be without power all day as the mercury soars

Thousands of households and businesses in central Victoria could be without power until 5pm as the mercury exceeds 40C.

Power company AusNet says the power outage has been caused by an underground fault. Picture: Craig Wilson

Thousands of households and businesses in central Victoria could be without power until 5pm as the mercury exceeds 40C.

Power company AusNet says the power outage has been caused by an underground fault, and is not related to any power shortage caused by the heatwave.

The temperature is forecast to reach 41C in Nagambie, where more than 2700 customers are without power.

AusNet spokesman Alistair Parker told 3AW the company had located the fault at 5am.

“If it all goes to plan it will be back online about 5pm,” Mr Parker said.

“In the meantime, we’ve got another team that put on a couple of generators on in the Nagambie township, so that will get about 400 of our customers back on there.”

The outage comes as the Australian Energy Market Operator moves to allay fears Victoria and South Australia could suffer a power shortage over the next few days.

Chief executive Audrey Zibelman said there were enough reserves to see the states through the heat.

“We first go to the generators that are in the market, then we go into our reserves and we carry enough reserves to lose two units and then, only then, we would ask for people to reduce their usage, but that’s the last point and we’re not even close to that yet,” Ms Zibelman told ABC Radio.

Towns in South Australia and Victoria are bracing for record temperatures today and tomorrow.

The South Australian towns of Whyalla, Wudinna and Tarcoola are all forecast to reach 48C today, with towns in Victoria’s northwest headed for 46C tomorrow.

Adelaide is set for a top of 45C today, before a cool change brings the temperature down to 31C tomorrow.

Melbourne may not reach its forecast top of 36C until 6pm today, only falling to 29C overnight, before hitting a top of 43C tomorrow.

The change is expected to hit Melbourne late tomorrow, bringing wind gusts of up to 80km/h, thunderstorms and increased fire risk.

Authorities are asking people not to take risks during the hot weather, including leaving children in carsor swimming at unpatrolled beaches. Twenty people have drowned in Victoria since December 1.

Fire crews are on stand-by while extra paramedics and ambulances will be on call to assist those struggling in the heat.